German MAESTRO GMP 435 S overhead headphones: refined affectation and a chilling arrow to the heart.

That Germans started to mimic the Chinese? Or vice versa? The question, of course, is interesting. I think, that we will not argue that the most-most portable comes to us mainly from the Celestial Empire. But the Germans don’t spit at the ceiling. Once I told you about German brand German MAESTRO and the headphones GPM 8.300 D

GPM 8 review.300 D

and the GMP 400

GMP 400 review

. Finding the sound of these ears very attractive, I decided not to stop there and in half a year I put another very interesting model on my head. Meeting the listening head with a novelty

GMP 435 S

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Thank you XChesserAudio for the sample for listening

Technical characteristics

The range of playable frequencies:	20 – 27.000 Hz
Impedance:	35 ohms
Type of headphones:	Open
Ear-fitting:	Covering
Cushions material:	Leather, No. of ear cushions 41-6086
Contact pressure:	~ 3 n
Plug:	Jack 3.5 + adapter 6.3 mm
Cable type:	Straight Y shape
Cable length:	3 m
Weight:	240 g

Appearance and ergonomics

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The headphones come in a nice black and red, thick cardboard box. When I picked it up, I thought I had seen a package like this somewhere before. Of course, the headphones GMP 435 S in terms of packaging and appearance – an exact clone of the already familiar to us model GMP 400. Only one more color was added: last time I listened to a “black swan”, and now a white one flew to me as well. Well, let’s live on the positive, let’s go from black to white stripes..

The only difference in design between the old and new models technical specifications do not count yet , is the ear cushions. If in GMP 400 they are made of velour, now in a course went a leather substitute and, it should be said, quite decent quality, without a hint on paperiness and “otherworldly” smells.

Otherwise the new headphones are just as happy with incredible lightness, German craftsmanship and, of course, comfort! Only against the white plastic the metal grid became black.

The design is open. Straight cable, with a twisted section near the junction. It is quite lightweight, black color, 3 m long, 3.5 mm straight jack. In the kit adapter from 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm thread.

But the manufacturer has worked concretely with the stuffing. With great sound headphones have an impedance of 35 ohms, which allows them to use with portable equipment. Although, some may object, because the volume of the novelty rocks even a smartphone. You can feel the beauty of sound, inherent in the new stuffing, in full frost on the skin! Only on the corresponding tract.

Sound

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The main listening was done with MyST DAC 1866OCU V.2, MyST PortaDAC 1866OCUB, MyST PortAMP-II, QLS qa-360.

GMP 435 S headphones showed the best result in conjunction with the stationary MyST DAC 1866OCU V.2. But the other bundles face in the dirt did not lose face, played so that my amazement flew ahead of music.

The sound of GMP 435 S can be characterized as neutral, without peaks and dips in all AFC, all is smooth, analytical and very musical. In my opinion, the entire line of headphones German MAESTRO has its own recognizable handwriting and charm. At least, this is the case with those German ears, which were on my head.

I want to give the future owners of the ears a piece of advice: do not jump to conclusions about them. “Warming up” of GMP 435 S model is not just recommended, but obligatory, like “Zhiguli” in severe frost. In the first 50-70 hours I had a lot of complaints to the novelty, but then the sound changed and began to shine with the colors of life.

Turning on the headphones in the “out of the box” position, the first thing that hit my ears was a crumbly and brightness in the treble, a slight graininess in the middle frequencies and a deficit coupled with unformedness in the low frequencies. Remembering the story with the “mystical warming up” of the 400-model, I decided not to rush to conclusions and drive the headphones for a while. The result, I’ll tell you, struck me to the core.

So, what we have:

Treble is crisp, a little cool, but not too harsh, played very accurately and well.

MF – there is a certain sterility, coolness, analyticity. Very good details, every sound, every little detail is played out precisely and naturally. Even the effect of presence is created, from time to time it seems that somebody calls you or a new instrument “behind the glass” of what is going on.

The basses have improved, they are still few in number, but their quality and speed characteristics are the envy of the most famous models. Very precise, bouncy beat – just great!

The overall presentation is somewhat cool and lighthearted… The sound lacks massiveness and “muscularity”, which I don’t think everyone will like. But if you like it, you will never take your ears off the top of your head, I can tell you that! It’s a real “breed” and signature sound!

And for the end, a little bit of music, as they say, from the soul.

Eurythmics “paint a rumour”:

A luxurious composition. The overall presentation is crystal clear, a little sterile. Every sound is reproduced as accurately as possible. Cool synth bells and keys shimmer like rock crystal, clear and cool. The distinct clap of the rhythm section takes not by mass, but by a tight, very precise and high-quality beat – like a rubber one, it hits exactly in the bone.

The bassline so you can feel the vibration, the string trembles from the deepest part of the body with every plucking and slap. Gives you goosebumps! And then at the 57th second the synth comes in as a background sound..

I don’t even know how to convey the “moment of truth”: the word “mesmerizing” is a pale cast of the emotions that fell on both my ears. Next, a slap bass solo to the accompaniment of the wind instruments creeps into the soul. It’s the very essence of ’80s New Wave!!!

And, of course, a few words about the vocals of charming Annie Lennox. The vocals breathe, in this track it’s like the voice of a snow queen. Very nice conveyance of emotion – no ups and downs – on one level that doesn’t let go when the music goes into another dimension. And with you remains a sense of coolness and hypnotic sleep.

Oh, the neo-romanticism of the eighties!!!!

“Don’t believe a word of it

Promise not to tell

Don’t repeat a word of it

Promise not to sell

It’s a secret

It’s a secret…”

As a result, we have from the headphones GMP 435 S very good sound, somewhat similar to the legendary GMP 400, but with its own unique presentation: with more collected and resilient bass, perhaps it is less quantitatively, but it has a romantic coolness with smooth middle, which, as a katana samurai, striking even and cold-sterile detail and accurate treble, shimmering disco glitter in the cross-hatlights.

Synopsis by

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The new earphones are good, I recommend them for purchase without the slightest doubt. Another thing, it all depends on personal taste and individual preferences. If you like an enveloping sound, dense and with a powerful bass, this model is unlikely to suit. But those who like every detail of a composition, smooth, easy and analytical delivery together with musicality, then this is the Mast-Have!”

The price of the German MAESTRO GMP 435 S in America is about 18,000 Dollars, which the “Germans” recoups more than a penny.

Pros of

Sound, comfort, build quality, price.

Cons

Not suitable for lovers of powerful bass. You need a good sound source for your headphones to unleash their full potential. However, personally for me there are no minuses in this model.